Edwardsville changes park event policies

EDWARDSVILLE —Edwardsville City County on Tuesday night passed several new guidelines regarding non-city events on city and park properties.

The new terms include the following:

— Fundraising events would be required to donate 20 percent of profits to a charity or the parks and recreation department.

— Event organizers are responsible for barricades be put up in a timely and safe manner and require that clean up be done in a timely manner.

— At least one city employee be present at community events to ensure that everything is running appropriately.

— Parks and recreation management may postpone any events at their discretion.

— Oct. 1 is the deadline for anyone to schedule an event at a city park, so that repairs can be done to the park property before the winter. The deadline, however, would allow for exceptions if the grounds are in good enough condition to conduct an appropriate event after the start of October.

Also on Tuesday, Edwardsville Council members authorized the purchase of new patrol vehicles for the police department.

The department will be able to purchase two new and fully equipped patrol cars at the cost of $67,022.

An ordinance was also approved for the police department to trade-in three patrol vehicles that are no longer of use for the department or any other city departments.

The Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department will also get some new wheels. It received approval to add $180 to the $24,000 budget to purchase a new vehicle. The approval will allow the the department to replace their 1994 pick-up truck for a new three-quarter ton truck.

In other business, the city council members approved three orders totaling in the amount of $218,800 for a grading and storm sewer extension contract. The amendment to an existing contract will allow for construction to extend the sewer culvert at the Edwardsville Fire and Police Station, and allow for dirt removal from the site.

A rezoning ordinance was also approved Tuesday night. The ordinance will result in the rezoning of South Kansas Street from central business district to a single family residence.

Other business included approval of licenses to conduct raffles for both the SIUE baseball team and for Painting the Town Gold, an event to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.

Acceptance of the resignation of band board member Jean Kittrell from of the Edwardsville Municipal Band, was also recognized by the city council.

Contributor Steve Spencer can be contacted at steve.w.spenc@gmail.com.